Derek Sivers gave an amazing little talk about leadership and why the first follower might be more important than the leader. You can find the video below, or read Derek’s transcript here. Please do take a moment to check it out.
This is what jumped out at me upon reading what Derek had to say:
“It was the first follower that transformed a lone nut into a leader. There is no movement without the first follower. We’re told we all need to be leaders, but that would be really ineffective. The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.
When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first person to stand up and join in.”
Oftentimes we obsess over being first. First to market, first to patent, first to do this or that. We may even abandon things that excite us simply because we no longer have the opportunity to be first on the scene. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve done it. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
I’m not arguing that there’s just as much glory in being second as there is in being first. There isn’t (the shirtless dancing guy, not his first follower, gets most of the credit). And we ought to reward people who are brave enough to pioneer something or who are first to reach a new height. But if we’re all trying to be different for the sake of being different, or first at something for the sake of being first – then who’s left to nurture the ideas and causes that matter?
I wonder: while we’re all out avoiding each other’s ideas in order to be original, how many great ideas have been forgotten?
Perhaps it’s more important to find something you believe in and do that, even if it means joining a movement that already exists.
Nor does being a follower have to mean obscurity. Who, after all, will the leader remember as the movement grows, if not her closest followers? Not to mention: a “second” who cares gains far more respect than a “first” who merely cares about the spotlight. Authenticity is its own selling point.
Will you be a leader, a follower – or, as Derek suggests, will you be both?
15 Comments on “Obsessed with First”
says:
The type of person that starts a blog is usually a “leader” personality. It's valuable to remember that there is more than just being a leader and that being a follower is just as important, if not more so. I try to split my time between endeavors in which I fill the leader-role and those in which I am a follower. Getting good at both is pretty key to being a well-rounded individual.
says:
I think the lesson here is that we need to be willing to be both a follower and a leader. support others with worthy ideas and thoughts. At the same time we need to recognized those who are willing to support our ideas and be willing to fallow what we have to say. great stuff Jeffery,
says:
Jeffrey, thanks for showing this awesome video. Reading the article I was reminded of the quote that “we all are standing on the shoulders of giants”. Indeed our frantic search for being the first often let's us forget the resources we could use – and by not wanting to join a team some of our best chances will pass us by unrecognized.
Love it!
says:
Great Post.
Regarding being a follower and a leader. To become a successful in either way we need both the parties to be doing good and agreeing. If it would not have been for the successful leaders and great followers around the world many countries would not have “FREEDOM”.
A well known example is Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation in India. Quote “I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could. “
He was a great leader and had almost the entire nation as the 'follower'.
Cheers,
Cheryl Paris Blog
says:
I think that's a good way to look at it. There will always been areas in
which we're called to lead, and areas in which we're called to follow.
What's important is that we realize there's no shame in following, so long
as you truly believe in the cause you're working for. Following for the sake
of conformity, on the other hand …
says:
When we're in a position of leadership, we absolutely need to recognize our
followers. I think that's one of the biggest lessons of Derek's talk – that
dedicated followers are very much responsible for the success of a movement.
Thanks, Quinn!
says:
Standing on the shoulders of giants indeed. One of my (strange) hangups was
a desire to pretend the giants didn't exist – but what a silly way to go
about things! All I wound up doing was holding myself back, instead of
building on the foundations that have already been laid for me.
says:
I love the Gandhi example. It just shows that you don't need to have
completely new ideas to be a great leader – you just have to throw yourself
into a cause you believe in. As I wrote above, authenticity is its own
selling point.
And you're also right that the leader and his/her followers need to be in
harmony. Gandhi would not have accomplished much if he hadn't captured the
imagination of a movement and later the world.
Thank you, Cheryl.
says:
This blew my mind. Thanks for the vid and post. In the “corporate” world all we every discuss are leaders and we dismiss the followers. Lesson learned…
says:
Even though I work at a small company, I find that it can be easy to focus
too much on the people in charge and forget how important the “followers”
are to the success of the team. But the more experience I get, the more I
realize that having an ambitious leader is only the starting point. Without
committed, enthusiastic, talented followers, a leader gets nowhere.
says:
Jeffrey, Nice post. I am one of the many referred by MakeUseOf, and I will be back. Best, Ted
says:
That's awesome, Ted. Good to meet you, and thanks for sticking around!
says:
I also provided a link to your website from mine (which is brand new) to spread the word. Best of luck – Ted
says:
Thanks, Ted! I really appreciate your help :)
says:
This is such an awesome video. Derek actually inspired me to create a social movement to unleash ideas and build networks by doing 5-minute well prepared talks that are thought provoking, inspirational, and fun. I am up to six followers now and I am blogging about the experience. Going through the process I can totally relate to the lone nut and the importance of getting that first follower.